The Best Maternity Jeans For Every Stage Of Pregnancy

Maternity jeans are one of the first fashion purchases pregnant women make on discovering they’re expecting. They’re comfortable, flexible and flattering but, whether you’re in the early days of a burgeoning bump or the late stages when you’re ready to pop, finding jeans that work for you isn’t always easy.

What size maternity jeans should I buy?

Most brands say you should buy the same size maternity jeans as you would normally buy, as the jeans will have extra panels to support your growing bump. That said, a lot mums-to-be report various amounts of slipping, as of course, every bump is different.

When it comes to maternity jeans, there are two different styles - under-the-bump and over-the-bump. When it comes to under-the-bump style jeans, they should fit comfortably below your belly and will usually have a soft elasticated waistband. A lot of women otp to wear these in their second trimester and the addition of a belly band can help them stay in place. There's also over-the-bump syles that have a built in stretchy band that fits over your tummy, as the name suggests. These are often a good idea for when your bmp gets bigger. Our best advice is to try a number of different styles to see which work best for you.

Where to buy cheap maternity jeans?

You'll probably be only wearing these jeans for four to five months so will want to find some that are comfy, yet affordable.

To give you a hand, we’ve rounded up the best maternity threads on the high street right now. Each pair has been specially designed with growing bumps in mind, with waist adjusters and soft bump bands for the perfect fit, regardless of which trimester you’re in. Some maternity jeans even have removable bands, so you’ll be able to wear them after pregnancy.

A baby bump shouldn’t prevent you pulling on a pair of skinny jeans. Like Topshop’s classic skinnies, this pair have spray-on fit and are ankle grazing, but they’ve been adapted for pregnancy with a stretchy waist panel and high rise waistband.

It’s not that easy finding grey stone-wash maternity jeans but they are great if you want to add a bit of an edge to your pregnancy look. This pair from George at Asda has been designed so that, even when you’ve only got a hint of a bump, they won’t feel too loose.

There’s a bit of a thing going on for embroidered jeans at the moment and, if you want to get on-board, Boohoo.com has come up with this pair complete with a floral motif on both thighs. Plus, these jeans have a forgiving skinny cut and an elasticated waist panel to keep you feeling comfy as well as fashionable.

If you thought you wore jeans a lot before, just wait till you’re pregnant. They’ll be the one item of your wardrobe you turn to again and again so it might be worth investing a little extra. These skinny jeans from maternity experts Isabella Oliver are aimed at denim aficionados and have a jersey panel, elasticated band, added stretch and an indigo wash that won’t fade no matter how many times you put them through the washing machine.

Prefer your jeans bootcut? Try on this pair for size. The straight leg cut and dark wash cleverly make your legs look thinner and longer, while the wide jersey waistband can be worn over or underneath your bump, depending what stage of pregnancy you’re at.

Don’t feel like you have to play it safe with your clothes just because you’re pregnant. These distressed skinny jeans have ripped knees, frayed hems and pre-worn creases and would be at perfectly at home in a mosh pit.

Skinny jeans are great if you’re feeling confident about your body but what if you want something a little more easy-going? These relaxed cut maternity jeans are flattering without being tight, while the below-the-bump waistband make them an excellent option for early pregnancy, when you’re still getting used to your changing shape, and after, when you’ve given birth.

The comfort of a legging mixed with the flexibility of jeans, jeggings are a great addition to your pregnancy wardrobe. This pair uses sustainable cotton with added stretch and has been designed to give you a streamlined silhouette. What more could you ask for?

For those who prefer a trouser to a jean, these harem-style pants are a real find. The lightweight fabric and elasticated waist make it unlikely that you’ll find anything as comfortable, plus, you can wear them after your pregnancy too.

Maternity jeans with an elasticated under-bump waistband are ideal if you’re still early on in your pregnancy and have more of a big tummy than a proper bump. This pair from New Look also have white distressed patches and come in a pretty sky-blue denim.

Super skinny jeans and being pregnant don’t feel like things that would work together but Jojo Maman Bebe has come up with these maternity threads which tick both boxes. A mock fly and stretch denim allow them to be easily pulled on, while the jersey waistband can be worn under or over your bump.

It’s important to buy clothes that make you feel good when you’re pregnant and these navy jeans will flatter your legs thanks to their close-cut fit and dark hue.

How tight should maternity jeans be?

As we mentioned, getting maternity jeans to stay put can be tricky, but you also shouldn't wear trousers too tight. As a general rule, if you feel like the jeans are uncomfortable or cutting into you, they are probably the wrong size or style.

Which shops sell maternity jeans?

From the likes of Topshop, ASOS and New Look, to more specialist maternity wear shops such as Mothercare and JoJo Maman Bebe, you won't struggle to find a pair of maternity jeans. As we mentioned above, it's worth trying on a number of different pairs and styles if you have the time, so you can find the ones that fit your growing bump the best.

It can sometimes seem that pregnancy means style limbo, just wearing what fits rather than what looks good. But it doesn’t have to be that way. We’ve picked out some key maternity pieces on the high street, so you can look as good as you (hopefully) feel – and they don’t cost mega bucks either.

This pregnant UK presenter is a busy bee, which means a packed schedule for her and lots of pictures of her maternity fashion for us. Click through to see who's working this checked number, and for more celebs who've made dressing their bump for everyday outings into a stellar effort...